A no sew pet bed can be a fun and cheap craft project. If your dog or cat is particularly hard on her bed, you may want to save your money and make a cheap bed at home. All you will need is some fleece fabric, an old pillow or stuffing, and a pair of scissors. Take precautions when gathering and cleaning your supplies to make sure they're safe for your pets. With a little hard work, your pet will be enjoying her new bed.

Steps

Method1

Creating the Bed Cover

1

Gather your fleece. The first thing you'll want to do when making a no-sew pet bed is create your covering. To start, you'll need at least two pieces of fleece. You can repurpose an old fleece blanket or purchase fleece at a local craft store.

The amount of fleece depends on the size of the bed you're creating. You want to make sure the fleece is big enough for your dog or cat to sleep on comfortably. You have the option of stuffing your bed with an old pillow or using old clothing or scraps of fabric as stuffing. If you're using a pillow, make sure the fleece is big enough to cover the pillow.

You should also take into the account the size of your pet. A comfortable pet bed should be big enough for your pet to lie down and stretch out in the bed. It may be a good idea to measure your pet when she's stretched out somewhere. Measure the length and height of your pet when she's stretched out, and aim to have your bed a little bigger than that. For example, if your cat is about a foot long and six inches high when stretched out, you could make a bed that's 15 by 10 inches.

You will be slicing the sides of the fleece into strips and tying them together instead of sewing. Therefore, consider the dimensions you want for your finished bed. Get 4 to 6 more inches of fleece than these dimensions. For example, if you want a bed that's 3 feet by 2 feet, get a block of fleece that measures 3'4" by 2'4".[1]

2

Cut two pieces of fleece into a rectangle shape. Once you've selected your fleece, you can begin to assemble your bed. To start, lay once piece of fleece out on the floor. Cut it into a rectangular shape, 4 to 6 inches bigger than you want the actual bed. Remember, add 4 to 6 inches to both the height and width of the bed. Place this piece of fleece on top of your other fleece. Cut the other piece of fleece into roughly the same size and shape.[2]

3

Cut out strips. Once you have your fleece cut into rectangles, you can begin trimming the sides of the fleece into strips. Remember, you'll be tying the strips together instead of sewing in order to assemble the blanket.

Move around the sides of the fleece, cutting out strips of fabric 4 inches long and about 1.5 inches apart from one another.[3]

Depending on the thickness of your fabric, you may need sewing scissors. Regular craft scissors may not work to cut through fleece fabric.

4

Create corners. You will need to create four corners for your bed. To do so, cut out 4 by 4 inch squares on each corner of your rectangle.[4] To close the corners, take both the bottom on top fringe on one side of the corner. Then, take the bottom and top fringe on the other side. Tie these four fringes together in a single knot. This will close off the corners, preventing stuffing from leaking out later on.[5]

5

Tie all the strips together, except for one side of the covering. Once you have the strips cut out and the corners assembled, begin tying the strips together. This creates the covering of your bed. Double-knot the bottom and top strips together one-by-one. Leave one side of the bed untied. You'll need to keep this side opened to stuff your bed or slip a pillow inside.[6]

Method2

Assembling the Bed

1

Consider using a pillow. Once your cover is created, you'll have to decide on how to stuff the bed. If you have an old pillow, consider using this to stuff the cover. The main advantage of a using a pillow is that it's already uniform and soft. It requires little extra effort on your part in regards to assembly. If you have a spare pillow, this may be your best option.[7]

2

Try stuffing your bed. If you do not have a spare pillow, you can stuff your bed yourself. You can buy cheap stuffing at a local craft store. You can also use old blankets, clothing, or other fabric items from your home. If you're using repurposed items, you may have to fluff and pat down the pillow to get out any unwanted lumps or bumps. These can cause discomfort for your pet.[8]

You can squeeze the bed lightly to fluff it. You can also run your hand over lumpy portions, smoothing them out.

3

Tie the remaining strips together. Once you've inserted the pillow or stuffing, tie together the remaining strips. Remember to double-knot the top and bottom strip on each side. Once you've finished knotting the strips, your no-sew pet bed is complete.[9]

Method3

Taking Precautions with Supplies

1

Watch out for harmful household cleaners. You may want to clean your fabrics before using them in a pet bed. If you choose to do so, be careful of what cleaners you're using. Certain products may contain ingredients that are harmful to pets.

Watch out for cleaners that contain ammonia or chlorine. These products can irritate a pet's skin, eyes, and nose.[10]

Be careful when using laundry detergent of any kind. If residue is left on bedding, it can potentially be an irritant for your pet. If you use detergent, choose a mild, natural brand. Make sure you examine bedding thoroughly to make sure no residue is left behind.[11]

2

Avoid products containing formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a common ingredient in many fabrics and household items. Some studies indicate formaldehyde may contribute to the development of cancer in animals. Read the labels of any products you purchase or are repurposing for a pet bed. If you see formaldehyde listed as an ingredient, you may want to go with another product.[12]

3

Look into pet-proof fabrics. You want to make sure the fabric you choose can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Your pets may scratch or chew on a new bed. Synthetic fabrics may be more resistant to pet damage. Consider investing in a synthetic brand of fleece, as this may make your no-sew pet bed last longer.